docs: update HBW/Eirus/Marcandria/Factions/Castigian_Cabal

HBW/Eirus/Marcandria/Factions/Castigian_Cabal.html

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: The Castigian Cabal
 description: 
 published: true
-date: 2023-06-30T21:47:59.792Z
+date: 2023-06-30T21:49:17.121Z
 tags: game-master, castigian cabal, cabal
 editor: ckeditor
 dateCreated: 2023-01-23T20:52:16.031Z
@@ -54,8 +54,15 @@ dateCreated: 2023-01-23T20:52:16.031Z
 <p>The land is always filled with pawns that we can use. Make sure to find new pawns should the Vessaia loose too quickly.</p>
 <p>&nbsp;</p>
 <h2>Beliefs</h2>
+<p>The Castigian Cabal comprises individuals who worship, devote themselves, or follow (depending on their level of devotion) an enigmatic goddess known as Shar—whom even they themselves hold next to no knowledge about. To them, Shar represents the revealer of hidden truths and the patron of hidden wisdom, and to be the one who opened their eyes and exposed the flaws and hypocrisies of the world and its existing power structures. It was through her subtle machinations and manipulative words that the Cabal was formed. Their ultimate goal is to topple the existing power structure and replace it with their envisioned future—a future they believe to be fair and just, albeit one where they must hold the most crucial positions of power to maintain this supposed fairness and justice.</p>
+<p>The Cabal firmly believes that the current system, encompassing both society and the world's workings, is deeply flawed and unjust. They perceive it as a pervasive corruption that plagues all. Many members of the Cabal harbor a personal sense of injustice, believing themselves to have been unjustly denied something they rightfully deserved. This denial could manifest as the denial of a prominent position, the struggle of a hardworking individual who remains impoverished while their superiors thrive in wealth, or any other situation where they feel the status quo denies them what they perceive to justly deserve. In their eyes, the current structure perpetuates inequality, injustice, exploitation, and widespread suffering, for all except those who created and perpetuate it. Only by first completely dismantling the current status quo can the construction of a new structure be built—one that is brighter, more just, and more fair. Through her masterful machinations, Shar has convinced the Cabal to place blame not only on those they perceive as upholding the current societal order but also on the very deities they worship. According to the Cabal's belief, society is seen as a reflection of the deities' wills and teachings. As such, the root cause of the festering injustice that permeates society is attributed to these deities. Consequently, the Cabal regards other deities, including the Diostri, as architects of the corrupt status quo.</p>
+<p>Shar has effectively convinced the Cabal that only unwavering commitment and absolute loyalty to their cause can pave the way to their envisioned future. They view half-measures and compromises as destined to fail, which is why they advocate for the complete dismantling of the current structures, regardless of the cost. They believe that one must be willing to go to any length, employing any means—no matter how gruesome or sinister—to achieve their goals. Progressing toward their objectives necessitates substantial sacrifice and immense cost, even to the point of compromising ones own morality. The necessity of this uncompromising position is why they believe no one else has ever been able to, or will ever be able to, correct the current corrupt structures. The Cabal is firm in the belief that they alone can bear this burden—that they are the only ones with the will required to do what is needed. Traversing the darkest paths, stained with blood, is seen as necessary to achieve their ultimate goal: the dawning of a new era characterized by their envisioned fairness and justice. In their perspective, all the sacrifices, terrible deeds, and inflicted suffering will be justified once their new age comes to fruition—for the suffering they have to inflict will be finite, whereas the current system, if remained unchanged, will continue to perpetuate suffering for all eternity.</p>
+<p>Operating from the shadows is a fundamental principle for the Cabal, mirroring their enigmatic patron, Shar. Even they realize that they'd stand little chance should the rest of society unite against them—hence why so much of their efforts are designed to pit their adversaries against one other. They consider secrecy of paramount importance, even among their own ranks, to safeguard their endeavors from adversaries and to make sure the extent of their schemes are never discovered. Consequently, most members possess minimal knowledge of their fellow associates. This anonymity serves to shield the Cabal as a whole in the event of a member's compromise or betrayal. Furthermore, they believe subterfuge and manipulation to be their most effective tools, whether it involves persuading individuals to join their cause or covertly forcing their support or unknowing contribution to their efforts. This does not mean they are beyond utilizing more direct approaches, such as coercion—be that threatening someone's assets, wellbeing, or the wellbeing of their loved ones—to gain the support of people who are otherwise unwilling to cooperate.</p>
+<p>The shadows grant the Cabal the ability to—according to themselves—perceive the truths of the world. They believe that people's true nature is most evident when they believe themselves to be unobserved. Likewise, the Cabal perceives the injustices of the current order to be most noticeable when it believes it operates without scrutiny. By skillfully manipulating events from the darkness, the Cabal believe themselves to be able to witness individuals' most vile and self-serving tendencies, reinforcing their belief in the inherent corruption of the current order, while also exercising their influence while remaining unseen.</p>
+<p>The Cabal prides itself on its pervasive influence throughout Marcandria and boasts an intricate web of involvement in every facet of society. They reassure themselves that they have planned for every eventuality and conceivable outcome. Because of this, even if a few of their endeavors go awry, they consider it inconsequential within the grand scheme of things. As they often say, ‘when dealing with a vast tapestry, the pull of a single thread makes no difference.’ The Cabal seeks to convince its members that so long as they follow Shar's guidance to navigate the treacherous paths they tread, their envisioned new dawning with a fair and just society, where each member receives their rightful due, will inevitably be realized. The Cabal attributes most of their significant projects and endeavors to Shar's guidance, believing that she has revealed the best path toward their goals. The most devoted members possess unwavering confidence in Shar's guidance, as they believe her to be their faultless guide through the depths of darkness, leading them to the dawn of their envisioned future. After all, no being should know the path through the darkness better than the goddess of darkness herself (Though again, the Cabal are not entirely aware of Shar's true nature).</p>
+<p>Through their devotion to their enigmatic guide and their resolute adherence to their cause, the Castigian Cabal seeks to dismantle the prevailing power structures, expose the hidden truths of the world, and construct a society they deem fair and just. While driven by a sense of personal injustice and a desire for their rightful place, they firmly believe that only through absolute commitment and unwavering loyalty can their goals be achieved. The Cabal thrives in secrecy and manipulation, employing the shadows as their ally, and embracing the sacrifices and dark paths necessary to pave the way for their envisioned future. With Shar as their guide, they navigate the intricate web of their influence, confident that they are destined to reshape the world in accordance with their beliefs</p>
 <p>&nbsp;</p>
-<h4>Shar's hidden truths</h4>
+<h3>Shar's hidden truths</h3>
 <p>Shar's Hidden truths:</p>
 <ul>
   <li>The world is corrupt - unfair and unjust beyond any hopes of repair. Only by tearing the current status quo down completely can something better be built in its wake.<ul>
@@ -82,39 +89,12 @@ dateCreated: 2023-01-23T20:52:16.031Z
 </ul>
 <p>Other common sayings:</p>
 <ul>
-  <li>‘when dealing with a vast tapestry, the pull of a single thread makes no difference.’</li>
+  <li>‘When dealing with a vast tapestry, the pull of a single thread makes no difference.’</li>
   <li>Life in the current system is meaningless. To continue existing in this corrupt reality has no meaning. Better to die trying to fix it than live in it. So long as we succeed, then it'll all be worth it.</li>
 </ul>
 <p>&nbsp;</p>
 <p><strong>Shar's aliases/titles:</strong> The Veiled Mistress, The Mistress/Lady of the Night. The Unseen Hand. Our Guide (through the Darkness). Nightsinger.</p>
-<h4>Beliefs</h4>
-<p>The Castigian Cabal comprises individuals who worship, devote themselves, or follow (depending on their level of devotion) an enigmatic goddess known as Shar—whom even they themselves hold next to no knowledge about. To them, Shar represents the revealer of hidden truths and the patron of hidden wisdom, and to be the one who opened their eyes and exposed the flaws and hypocrisies of the world and its existing power structures. It was through her subtle machinations and manipulative words that the Cabal was formed. Their ultimate goal is to topple the existing power structure and replace it with their envisioned future—a future they believe to be fair and just, albeit one where they must hold the most crucial positions of power to maintain this supposed fairness and justice.</p>
-<p>The Cabal firmly believes that the current system, encompassing both society and the world's workings, is deeply flawed and unjust. They perceive it as a pervasive corruption that plagues all. Many members of the Cabal harbor a personal sense of injustice, believing themselves to have been unjustly denied something they rightfully deserved. This denial could manifest as the denial of a prominent position, the struggle of a hardworking individual who remains impoverished while their superiors thrive in wealth, or any other situation where they feel the status quo denies them what they perceive to justly deserve. In their eyes, the current structure perpetuates inequality, injustice, exploitation, and widespread suffering, for all except those who created and perpetuate it. Only by first completely dismantling the current status quo can the construction of a new structure be built—one that is brighter, more just, and more fair. Through her masterful machinations, Shar has convinced the Cabal to place blame not only on those they perceive as upholding the current societal order but also on the very deities they worship. According to the Cabal's belief, society is seen as a reflection of the deities' wills and teachings. As such, the root cause of the festering injustice that permeates society is attributed to these deities. Consequently, the Cabal regards other deities, including the Diostri, as architects of the corrupt status quo.</p>
-<p>Shar has effectively convinced the Cabal that only unwavering commitment and absolute loyalty to their cause can pave the way to their envisioned future. They view half-measures and compromises as destined to fail, which is why they advocate for the complete dismantling of the current structures, regardless of the cost. They believe that one must be willing to go to any length, employing any means—no matter how gruesome or sinister—to achieve their goals. Progressing toward their objectives necessitates substantial sacrifice and immense cost, even to the point of compromising ones own morality. The necessity of this uncompromising position is why they believe no one else has ever been able to, or will ever be able to, correct the current corrupt structures. The Cabal is firm in the belief that they alone can bear this burden—that they are the only ones with the will required to do what is needed. Traversing the darkest paths, stained with blood, is seen as necessary to achieve their ultimate goal: the dawning of a new era characterized by their envisioned fairness and justice. In their perspective, all the sacrifices, terrible deeds, and inflicted suffering will be justified once their new age comes to fruition—for the suffering they have to inflict will be finite, whereas the current system, if remained unchanged, will continue to perpetuate suffering for all eternity.</p>
-<p>Operating from the shadows is a fundamental principle for the Cabal, mirroring their enigmatic patron, Shar. Even they realize that they'd stand little chance should the rest of society unite against them—hence why so much of their efforts are designed to pit their adversaries against one other. They consider secrecy of paramount importance, even among their own ranks, to safeguard their endeavors from adversaries and to make sure the extent of their schemes are never discovered. Consequently, most members possess minimal knowledge of their fellow associates. This anonymity serves to shield the Cabal as a whole in the event of a member's compromise or betrayal. Furthermore, they believe subterfuge and manipulation to be their most effective tools, whether it involves persuading individuals to join their cause or covertly forcing their support or unknowing contribution to their efforts. This does not mean they are beyond utilizing more direct approaches, such as coercion—be that threatening someone's assets, wellbeing, or the wellbeing of their loved ones—to gain the support of people who are otherwise unwilling to cooperate.</p>
-<p>The shadows grant the Cabal the ability to—according to themselves—perceive the truths of the world. They believe that people's true nature is most evident when they believe themselves to be unobserved. Likewise, the Cabal perceives the injustices of the current order to be most noticeable when it believes it operates without scrutiny. By skillfully manipulating events from the darkness, the Cabal believe themselves to be able to witness individuals' most vile and self-serving tendencies, reinforcing their belief in the inherent corruption of the current order, while also exercising their influence while remaining unseen.</p>
-<p>The Cabal prides itself on its pervasive influence throughout Marcandria and boasts an intricate web of involvement in every facet of society. They reassure themselves that they have planned for every eventuality and conceivable outcome. Because of this, even if a few of their endeavors go awry, they consider it inconsequential within the grand scheme of things. As they often say, ‘when dealing with a vast tapestry, the pull of a single thread makes no difference.’ The Cabal seeks to convince its members that so long as they follow Shar's guidance to navigate the treacherous paths they tread, their envisioned new dawning with a fair and just society, where each member receives their rightful due, will inevitably be realized. The Cabal attributes most of their significant projects and endeavors to Shar's guidance, believing that she has revealed the best path toward their goals. The most devoted members possess unwavering confidence in Shar's guidance, as they believe her to be their faultless guide through the depths of darkness, leading them to the dawn of their envisioned future. After all, no being should know the path through the darkness better than the goddess of darkness herself (Though again, the Cabal are not entirely aware of Shar's true nature).</p>
-<p>Through their devotion to their enigmatic guide and their resolute adherence to their cause, the Castigian Cabal seeks to dismantle the prevailing power structures, expose the hidden truths of the world, and construct a society they deem fair and just. While driven by a sense of personal injustice and a desire for their rightful place, they firmly believe that only through absolute commitment and unwavering loyalty can their goals be achieved. The Cabal thrives in secrecy and manipulation, employing the shadows as their ally, and embracing the sacrifices and dark paths necessary to pave the way for their envisioned future. With Shar as their guide, they navigate the intricate web of their influence, confident that they are destined to reshape the world in accordance with their beliefs</p>
-<p>&nbsp;</p>
 <h2>Goals</h2>
-<p>Through their devotion to their enigmatic guide and their resolute adherence to their cause, the Castigian Cabal seeks to <strong>dismantle the prevailing power structures (both in society and in the world's workings)</strong>,&nbsp;whom they see as corrupt and unfair, <strong>and replace it with a society they deem fair and just.</strong> A society where those who uphold it does not force limits upon you; does not deny you the ability to advance; and does not inhibit your chance to achieve that which you wish to achieve.&nbsp;A society where all are able to carve out their rightful place. While most members are <strong>driven by a sense of personal injustice and a desire for their rightful place</strong>, the Cabal tries to instill in them that only through absolute commitment and unwavering loyalty can their goals be achieved. The Cabal thrives in secrecy and manipulation, employing the shadows as their ally, and embracing the sacrifices and dark paths necessary to pave the way for their envisioned future. Guided by Shar, they navigate a complex web of influence, confident in their destined role to reshape the world in alignment with their beliefs.</p>
-<p>The Cabal is acutely aware that they stand little chance in reaching their goals should all the other influential factions in Marcandria decide to unite against them. They thus place great emphasis on maintaining secrecy, and go to great lengths to make sure their plans and schemes remain unknown and the organization's existence unnoticed. The acts they commit may cause a lot of reaction within Marcandrian society, but they always make sure that no evidence points back to them, and that there are no indicators that an event is part of a larger scheme. Maintaining secrecy is thus a goal in and of itself for the Cabal, one that they go to great lengths to maintain. The Cabal also strives to keep their adversaries divided and in conflict with one another. This aims tie down and expend their adversaries' resources, both to reduce the risk of discovery, and to prevent them from being able to interfere with the Cabal's schemes—be that accidentally or intentionally.</p>
-<p>The Cabal constantly aims to recruit influential individuals from other factions, and often entice them with promises of prominent positions in their envisioned future to help persuade them. Recruits who believe they have been unjustly denied advancement by their superior are often offered their superior's place. Those who are approached but refuse to join the cause are either killed off or forced to cooperate through the use of coercion and threats. Anything the person holds dear, be that possessions, reputation, or loved ones, may be threatened—with the Cabal having both the means and a history of following through on such threats if necessary. They do have to remain careful though, as too much blood in too short a timespan could cause the other major factions to start investigating. The Cabal is in constant need of recruiting new members to expand their reach and influence, and thus always have numerous schemes ongoing that aim to either convince someone to join them as a faithful member, or force someone to serve the Cabal through coercions and threats.</p>
-<p>The Cabal seeks to control those who cannot be swayed through covertly instigating infighting or conflicts with other factions. By weakening adversaries or diverting their resources, the Cabal aims to usurp their positions or render them too preoccupied to interfere with their plans. Each of the major faction presents a unique scenario, due to organization and how deep the Cabal is able to infiltrate their existing ranks, thus requiring tailored strategies from the Cabal to achieve their objectives for each of these factions effectively.</p>
-<p>Most of the Cabal's schemes aims to either increase the position of one of their members, or decrease that of one of their adversaries. This may refer to both the position and influence they hold, or the resources they have available. It could be as simple as securing their member a higher position in whichever other faction they are also a member off. It could also be bringing an adversary to ruin in order to open up such a position in the first place. All of these schemes aim to increase the Cabal's relative influence and available resources in order to achieve their overall goal of bringing about &nbsp;their envisioned future.</p>
-<p>Individual members also have their own personal goals, which most often entails securing themselves as high a position as possible in the Cabal's envisioned future. A decent chunk of the Cabal's recruits thus initially join due to opportunism, with the Cabal perpetually engaging in schemes to persuade new recruits into becoming truly faithful and committed to the Cabal's cause.</p>
-<p>In contrast to the Cabal's aspirations, Shar, their enigmatic guide, harbors distinct goals. Discontent with the other deities ploy to seal off the world from the realms beyond—thus making beings from these places, like the deities themselves, unable to enact direct influence upon the world—she aims to exploit the seal's imperfect and deteriorating nature to inflict a great breach to a place where she is strong—the Shadowfell. She aims to use this breach to become the domineering influence upon the world: to make the world fall to entropy - to crumble and succumb, leaving only disorder, darkness, and loss, where all are ultimately forced under her sway. Shar aims to use the Cabal to help her make this breach. Shar holds no love for her servants in the Cabal, seeing them as little more than tools to be discarded when no longer needed. It is ironic that, just like they covertly manipulate people to serve their interests, so does Shar manipulate the Cabal to serve hers.</p>
-<p>&nbsp;</p>
-<h4>ChatGPT Rerwrite 2</h4>
-<p>Driven by unwavering devotion to their enigmatic guide and fueled by a profound belief in their cause, the Castigian Cabal is determined to dismantle the prevailing power structures—both in society and in the world's workings—that they perceive as corrupt and unfair. Their ultimate aim is to replace these structures with a society they deem fair and just—a society where individuals are not limited, denied advancement, or hindered in their pursuit of personal aspirations. The Cabal envisions a world where everyone can carve out their rightful place. While personal grievances and a longing for their own rightful positions motivate many members, the Cabal instills the belief that absolute commitment and unwavering loyalty are crucial for achieving their goals. Thriving in secrecy and manipulation, the Cabal allies itself with the shadows and embraces sacrifices and dark paths necessary to pave the way for their envisioned future. Guided by Shar, they navigate a complex web of influence, confident in their destined role to reshape the world according to their beliefs.</p>
-<p>The Cabal is acutely aware of their vulnerability should all influential factions in Marcandria unite against them. Therefore, maintaining secrecy is of paramount importance. They go to great lengths to ensure their plans and schemes remain unknown, and their organization's existence goes unnoticed. While their actions may elicit reactions within Marcandrian society, they meticulously avoid leaving evidence or indications of a larger scheme behind. Maintaining secrecy is a goal in itself for the Cabal, and they spare no effort in its preservation. Additionally, the Cabal endeavors to keep adversaries divided and embroiled in conflicts with one another. This strategy aims to exhaust their opponents' resources, minimize the risk of discovery, and prevent interference with the Cabal's schemes, whether accidental or intentional.</p>
-<p>The Cabal actively seeks to recruit influential individuals from other factions, often luring them with promises of prominent positions in their envisioned future. Recruits who feel they have been unjustly denied advancement by their superiors may be offered the chance to assume their positions. Those who reject the Cabal's cause face dire consequences, including coercion and threats. The Cabal does not hesitate to exploit their leverage, employing tactics that endanger the possessions, reputation, and loved ones of non-compliant individuals. The organization has a demonstrated history of following through on such threats, but they must exercise caution to avoid attracting unwanted attention. As the Cabal continuously expands its reach and influence, recruitment schemes persistently aim to either convince individuals to join as faithful members or force them into servitude through coercion and threats.</p>
-<p>When faced with individuals who cannot be swayed, the Cabal covertly instigates infighting and conflicts between them and other factions. By weakening adversaries or diverting their resources, the Cabal aims to usurp their positions or render them too preoccupied to interfere with their plans. Each major faction presents unique challenges, necessitating tailored strategies from the Cabal to achieve their objectives effectively.</p>
-<p>Most of the Cabal's schemes revolve around either elevating their members' positions or diminishing their adversaries'. These schemes encompass increasing members' influence and available resources, securing higher positions within other factions where they hold membership, or bringing adversaries to ruin to open up coveted positions. These endeavors collectively aim to enhance the Cabal's relative influence and resources, ultimately contributing to the fulfillment of their overarching goal—bringing about their envisioned future.</p>
-<p>Individual members also harbor personal aspirations, primarily centered on securing the highest possible positions in the Cabal's envisioned future. Opportunism often motivates initial recruits, prompting the Cabal to perpetually engage in schemes to persuade new members to become fully committed to their cause.</p>
-<p>In contrast to the Cabal's aspirations, Shar, their enigmatic guide, harbors distinct goals. Discontented with the other deities' ploy to seal off the world from the realms beyond, thus rendering beings from those places, including the deities themselves, unable to directly influence the world, Shar seeks to exploit the seal's imperfect and deteriorating nature. Her aim is to create a significant breach in a location where she holds great strength—the Shadowfell. Through this breach, Shar intends to exert dominion over the world, causing it to fall into entropy and crumble under her sway. Unbeknownst to the Cabal, Shar views them as mere tools to be discarded when they are no longer of use. It is ironic that, just as the Cabal covertly manipulates individuals to serve their interests, Shar manipulates the Cabal itself to further her own agenda.</p>
-<p>&nbsp;</p>
-<h3>COMBO AREA:</h3>
 <p>Driven by unwavering devotion to their enigmatic guide and fueled by a profound belief in their cause, the Castigian Cabal is determined to <strong>dismantle the prevailing power structures—both in society and in the world's workings—</strong>that they perceive as corrupt and unfair. Their <strong>ultimate aim is to replace these structures with a society they deem fair and just—a society where those who uphold it does not limit, deny advancements, or hinder an individual's pursuit of personal aspirations</strong>. The Cabal envisions a world where everyone can carve out their rightful place.&nbsp;Many members are <strong>driven by a sense of personal injustice and a desire for their rightful place</strong>, with the Cabal attempting to instill in them that that only through absolute commitment and unwavering loyalty can their goals be achieved.&nbsp;The Cabal thrives in secrecy and manipulation, employing the shadows as their ally, and embracing the sacrifices and dark paths necessary to pave the way for their envisioned future. Guided by Shar, they navigate a complex web of influence, confident in their destined role to reshape the world in alignment with their beliefs.</p>
 <p>The Cabal is acutely aware that they stand little chance in reaching their goals should all the other influential factions in Marcandria decide to unite against them. Therefore, maintaining secrecy is seen as of paramount importance.&nbsp;They go to great lengths to ensure their plans and schemes remain unknown, and that the existence of their organization remains unnoticed. While their actions may elicit reactions within Marcandrian society, they meticulously avoid leaving evidence that could point back their members, or evidence that could indicate the action to have been part of a larger scheme.<strong> Maintaining secrecy is a goal in itself for the Cabal,</strong> and they spare no effort in its preservation.&nbsp;The Cabal also <strong>strives to keep their adversaries divided and in conflict with one another</strong>. This strategy aims to exhaust their opponents' resources, minimize the risk of discovery, and prevent interference with the Cabal's schemes, whether accidental or intentional.</p>
 <p>The Cabal actively seeks to recruit influential individuals from other factions, often luring them with promises of prominent positions in their envisioned future.&nbsp;Recruits who believe they have been unjustly denied advancement by their superior are often offered their superior's position in return for committing themselves to the cause.&nbsp;Those who are approached but refuse to join the cause are either killed off or forced to cooperate through the use of coercion and threats.&nbsp;The Cabal does not hesitate to exploit their leverage, employing tactics that endanger the possessions, reputation, and loved ones of non-compliant individuals. The organization has a demonstrated history of following through on such threats, but they must also exercise caution to avoid attracting unwanted attention. The Cabal is in a constant need of new recruits to expand its reach and influence, and thus will always have numerous ongoing schemes that aim to either convince individuals to join as faithful members or force them into servitude through coercion and threats</p>